As part of my own daily devotions I hope to post my own paraphrases of the the Daily Lectionary here on my blog (along with a short reflection on one or more of the readings). God willing, this will not be a short term thing.

Ephesians 1:11-14
In [Christ] we have been given an inheritance,
having been destined according to the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things through the intention of his will,
so that we might be the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
In him you also, who have heard the word of truth,
the Gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the first installment of our inheritance
toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.

Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13
Shout out for joy, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the righteous is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre sing his praises.

For  the word of the LORD is upright,
and all his work is trustworthy.
He loves justice and righteousness;
the earth is full of the LORD’s steadfast love.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own heritage.
From heaven the LORD looks down;
he sees all humankind.

Luke 12:1-7
At that time, so many people had crowded together
that they were trampling one another.
Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples,
“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees,
which is hypocrisy.

“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed,
or hidden that will not be known.
Therefore whatever you have said in darkness
will be heard in the light,
and what you have whispered behind closed doors
will be proclaimed on the housetops.
I tell you, my friends,
do not be afraid of those who kill the body
but after that can do no more.
I will show you whom to fear.
Be afraid of the one who after killing
has the power to cast you into Gehenna;
yes, I tell you, fear that one.

Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?
Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Yes, even the hairs of your head have all been counted.
Therefore, do not be afraid;
you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Reflection for Today – On Luke
What an odd reading from today’s gospel. I am sure you have noticed this, but just in case you haven’t, there seems to be a major discrepancy between the second and third sections of the reading from Luke.

At the end of the second section Jesus tells his disciples that they should fear “the one who after killing has the power to cast you into Gehenna (usually translated as “Hell.”),  But then in the third section Jesus explicitly tells his followers that they should not be afraid.  Hmm . . . I wonder which paragraph I should pay the most attention to?